Analysis of harvested timber registration system on its compliance with the latest eu initiatives

Abstract

In 2013, a new document “Regulation (EU) No. 995/2010 of the European parliament and of the council of 20 October 2010 laying down the obligations of operators who place timber and timber products on the market of the European Economic Area” comes into effect. As part of the measures to control turnover of illegally harvested timber it is proposed to develop a system that will provide public access to information about the sources and timber suppliers. Export of forest products to the European Union is an important component of Belarusian export. This article presents the analysis of the national system of harvested timber registration on its compliance with the latest EU initiatives. The system of voluntary certification scheme FSC meets the requirements on the control of sources of raw timber origin. However, a certificate does not automatically replace the need for inspections by monitoring organizations of the “due diligence”.